Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
One of the smallest species of Heron, the yellow crown adults have a bold color pattern of light to dark grey body plumage and patches of beige feathers on the face. A distinctive yellow crown develops between the age of two and three years of age. These birds are common to shallow water habitats (mudflats, swamps, mangroves) and coastal areas of the Midwest and Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands, and northern South America. With warmer temperatures, the species has been identified in farther northern areas including Southern California.
Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific / Robing Riggs
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
At the Aquarium
They may be viewed outdoors near the Shark Lagoon and next to the Guam kingfisher.
Geographic Distribution
These birds are common to the southern Midwest and eastern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America to northern South America. With warming temperatures populations have started to move into northern areas of the western United States.
Habitat
They occupy inland and coastal waterways such as mangrove groves, rocky coastal areas, barrier beaches, wetland, and swampy coastal areas.
Physical Characteristics
One of the smallest of the Heron species, they are born with a light dull tan to brown coloring. By the age of two they develop a distinctive pattern of feathers that are black outlined in gray. A shorter stout bill is a characteristic of this species. Typical of wading birds, they have long legs with widespread talons.
Size
The adult height ranges from 59—79 centimeters ( 1 foot 10inches—2 feet 4inches), weighs between 650—860 grams (1.4—1.9 pounds), and has a wingspan of 101—111 centimeters (40—44 inches).
Diet
They feed on a wide range of crustaceans such as mollusks, small fish, frogs, and insects. These herons typically feed in shallow water areas using slow measured movements and quick strikes to catch prey, but they have been observed using baiting techniques to lure small fish close enough to strike.
Reproduction
Yellow Crowed Night herons reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Breeding occurs from early spring to late summer. They are monogamous with both parents sharing in the care and feeding of the young. They produce three to five eggs that take approximately three weeks to hatch.
Behavior
These birds live in colonies but will forage for food alone. They spend a great deal of time preening their feathers. In the most southern areas, they reside year-round but in the more northern areas of their range they will follow migration patterns and move north during late spring and summer and return to the southern range during winter. They have also been observed using baiting behavior placing small twigs or other items in the water to lure fish close to them.
Adaptation
The Yellow Crowned Night Heron’s short stout bill helps it eat crabs and other crustaceans. The heron uses its long legs to wade in the water and keep its body dry.
Longevity
The live five to six years.
Conservation
These birds are Listed as Least Concerned by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With warmer climate conditions, populations have begun to move farther north. With no true predators their population has remained constant.
Special Notes
In 1976—78 44, Yellow Crowned Night herons were introduced on the island of Bermuda to aid in the control of the invasive red crab. The program was a success and the crab population is now under control. They are now the most common heron species on the island.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
They may be viewed outdoors near the Shark Lagoon and next to the Guam kingfisher.
These birds are common to the southern Midwest and eastern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America to northern South America. With warming temperatures populations have started to move into northern areas of the western United States.
They occupy inland and coastal waterways such as mangrove groves, rocky coastal areas, barrier beaches, wetland, and swampy coastal areas.
One of the smallest of the Heron species, they are born with a light dull tan to brown coloring. By the age of two they develop a distinctive pattern of feathers that are black outlined in gray. A shorter stout bill is a characteristic of this species. Typical of wading birds, they have long legs with widespread talons.
The adult height ranges from 59—79 centimeters ( 1 foot 10inches—2 feet 4inches), weighs between 650—860 grams (1.4—1.9 pounds), and has a wingspan of 101—111 centimeters (40—44 inches).
They feed on a wide range of crustaceans such as mollusks, small fish, frogs, and insects. These herons typically feed in shallow water areas using slow measured movements and quick strikes to catch prey, but they have been observed using baiting techniques to lure small fish close enough to strike.
Yellow Crowed Night herons reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Breeding occurs from early spring to late summer. They are monogamous with both parents sharing in the care and feeding of the young. They produce three to five eggs that take approximately three weeks to hatch.
These birds live in colonies but will forage for food alone. They spend a great deal of time preening their feathers. In the most southern areas, they reside year-round but in the more northern areas of their range they will follow migration patterns and move north during late spring and summer and return to the southern range during winter. They have also been observed using baiting behavior placing small twigs or other items in the water to lure fish close to them.
The Yellow Crowned Night Heron’s short stout bill helps it eat crabs and other crustaceans. The heron uses its long legs to wade in the water and keep its body dry.
The live five to six years.
These birds are Listed as Least Concerned by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With warmer climate conditions, populations have begun to move farther north. With no true predators their population has remained constant.
In 1976—78 44, Yellow Crowned Night herons were introduced on the island of Bermuda to aid in the control of the invasive red crab. The program was a success and the crab population is now under control. They are now the most common heron species on the island.